bio: raine 1997 Flashcards
summary
aim= To investigate brain patterns, particularly brain dysfunctional areas associated with aggression, in murders vs non-murders using PET scans.
procedure=39M, 2F murders pleading not guilty due to reasons of insanity (NGRI) and a control group matched on age/sex/mental disorder and medication free for 2 weeks before task. Injected with glucose tracer then performance task done on visual task.
results=Brain dysfunction in NGRI in areas associated with violent behaviour. NGRI had: lower activity in corpus callosum, asymmetrical activity in amygdala and hippocampus, higher activity in right side of thalamus, no difference in task.
conc=bnormal areas associated with lack of fear, lower self-control, increased aggression and impulsive behaviour - all leads to risks of crime. Brand of murderers different to non
ethics
Consent/right to withdraw an issue as pleading NGRI, involved invasive procedure, psych harm caused as taken off medication
practical issues
Used matched controls but can be exact, was time consuming to match NGRI, hard to find participants to give control, all doing same thing but some may have felt more stressed than other.
reductionism
- reductionist as behaviour has been reduced to the physical level of the brain- weakness because no other factors considered in agression social ect
CA= exp for aggressive behaviour is simplified so its easier to undertstand
comparisons
Brain functioning and dtysfunctioning against normal, differences in aggression in people pleading NGRI.
psych as science
Experiment but scans used, lacks control as scans are stressful, matched groups for controls, controlled potential confounding variables such as any head injuries.
culture and gender
Didn’t show any genre differences as focus on brain areas, culture not thought to relate to violence/aggression/dysfunction, biological process’ so don’t focus on overall differences, only nature
nature/ nurture
More nature as brain functioning may cause aggressive behaviour. Assumed brain functioning is same for everyone. Violence comes from nature not nurture. If dtysfunctioning is from environment then is nurture.
how psychological understanding has changed over time
Was built from a previous study in 1994. Used other evidence for parts of brain they chose to study, PET scans beginning to take over MRI scans at time.
social control
Knowledge on brain regions makes violence easier to control. Changing brain structure is unlikely but neurotransmitter control is likely. Brain reigns can lead to development in aggression.
psych knowledge in society
C.ause of violence including brain regions involved so could be reduced. These due to brain differences which is useful to know about
socially sensitive research
If NGRI aren’t seen as responsible that may pose a threat to others. Knowing more can be helpful but sensitive. Relates to responsibility.
- knowing more about brain can help begin to undertand peoples actions
